6,517 million overseas trips were made to Ireland in 2012, an increase of 0.2% on 2011 (6,505), according to recent figures released by the CSO.
In Europe, international tourist arrivals in 2012 were 535 million, an increase of 17 million on 2011 (+3%). Central and Eastern Europe destinations fared best (+ 8%), followed by Western Europe (+3%) and Southern Mediterranean Europe (+2%).
The number of visitor arrivals to Ireland in 2012 is just 224,000 more than the number of visitors in 2000, as the table below illustrates -
Visitor numbers to Ireland 2000-2012
- 2000 6,293m
- 2001 5,990m
- 2002 6,065m
- 2003 6,369m
- 2004 6,574m
- 2005 6,977m
- 2006 7,709m
- 2007 8,012m
- 2008 7,839m
- 2009 6,927m
- 2010 6,037m
- 2011 6,505m
- 2012 6.517m
Meanwhile, global international visitor arrivals grew from 675 million to 1.035 billion over the same twelve year period. This growth trend is set to continue with the number of international visitor arrivals globally forecast to reach 1.8 billion by 2030.
Tourism is a huge opportunity for Ireland....to create jobs, help tackle long-term unemployment, increase youth employment, reduce the national budget deficit, increase social inclusion and regenerate regions and communities.
It seems obvious to to me that an ambitious, co-ordinated and adequately resourced tourism policy should be central the Irish government's employment strategy. However, this is not the case.
Government focus lies primarily in supporting other sectors such as ICT, energy, manufacturing, health, green economy and agriculture and food, as the recent progress report on the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 demonstrates.
In an increasingly competitive global tourism environment, Ireland's share of international tourist arrivals will continue to fall unless tourism is repositioned as a key economic driver for the country.
Tourism is a huge opportunity for Ireland....to create jobs, help tackle long-term unemployment, increase youth employment, reduce the national budget deficit, increase social inclusion and regenerate regions and communities.
It seems obvious to to me that an ambitious, co-ordinated and adequately resourced tourism policy should be central the Irish government's employment strategy. However, this is not the case.
Government focus lies primarily in supporting other sectors such as ICT, energy, manufacturing, health, green economy and agriculture and food, as the recent progress report on the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 demonstrates.
In an increasingly competitive global tourism environment, Ireland's share of international tourist arrivals will continue to fall unless tourism is repositioned as a key economic driver for the country.
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